1. The difference between single and compound types

The domestic examination is divided into two parts: basic techniques (scales and arpeggios, etc.) & repertoire performance. The King's Examination is divided into four parts: scales and arpeggios, repertoire performance, listening, and sight-reading.

2. The difference between ability type and test-oriented type:

Although there are many good talents among the piano children taking the exam, a single-system exam cannot fully reveal their shining points. .

The single form of playing and reciting can easily allow some students who have not reached the level to take advantage of the loopholes. Through the so-called "hard study and hard practice" (actually "silly practice"), I "chew down" the music. Some students never want to play the piano again after taking the tenth level exam. Most of them have suffered the above-mentioned torture.

The comprehensive assessment of the Emperor's Examination effectively prevents students from "arbitrarily skipping grades". Only when you reach the standard can you have the confidence to stand in the examination room and talk to the examiner.

3. Differences in learning styles

Of course, children who do not choose domestic exams may not have good learning styles. It just means that the King's Examination guides us to develop in a more comprehensive direction. For example, the two contents of listening and sight-reading guide children to establish correct listening habits from the beginning, teach us to appreciate music, recognize music and sight-reading in the correct way, and avoid rote memorization.

4. Differences in attitudes towards music theory

Emperor Examinations insists that those who play above level five must have at least level five music theory. This is a reflection of the principle of adhering to the principle of advancing theory and performance.

The test questions for Emperor's Level 5 Music Theory are not only highly professional, but also full of fun. For example, the assessment of rhythm is like a series of interesting math questions. In the test questions, in addition to basic musical notation understanding and composition skills, there will also be an assessment of melody creation. The answer is not unique, and children with different personalities can fully demonstrate their own characteristics. This kind of cultivation of creative ability is a very lacking part of domestic examinations.

Extended information:

Technically speaking, domestic examinations tend to cultivate pianists. Some children pass the examinations with excellent results, but as long as you talk to them, you will find that They are simply "ignoramus" in terms of musical knowledge. Not only can they not tell what period this piece of music is from, its musical style, creative background, structure of the piece, or how to understand the piece, some children even don’t know the title of the piece or who the author is.

For foreign children, because there is no supervision from their parents, they just rely on interest in learning piano, so there is a polarization phenomenon. Some students' skills are so poor that you can't listen to them, but when other students play, you can feel that they understand music and they use music to talk to you. They love music to the point of enchantment.

Their performances are very contagious. If you compare them, you will be surprised to find how rich their musical knowledge is, and they are just amateur students, but they can accurately pronounce the music. Their creative background, music structure, style, as well as the composer's life and interesting stories, their knowledge and abilities show complex characteristics.

In terms of the technical difficulty of music: (including basic exercises, such as scales, arpeggios, etc.), the level of grading examinations in China and abroad (Emperor) is almost the same. The difference lies in the sight-reading and listening tests that are different from those in China. Music theory written test.

The Royal Conservatory of Music’s grading examinations place greater emphasis on browsing a large number of pieces of music in order to improve their sight-reading abilities. Children are required to pick out a piece of music of the same level or slightly lower level and be able to sing it on the spot with a slightly slower pace. Play at a fast speed, but there should be no wrong notes or pauses. The rhythm and playing method must be correct, which requires children to have a very high sight-reading ability.

The Royal Conservatory of Music’s grading examination is also different from the music basic knowledge test of the authoritative Central Conservatory of Music. The basic music knowledge test for the Central Conservatory of Music grading examination is the same as the sight-singing and ear-training training for applying for admission to China or the Central Professional Music College, and it is very professional.

Such an exam is very good as a listening training course for professional music schools, but as a means to popularize music education for all, such boring exercises often make ordinary piano children, primary and secondary school students or Most people who like music and want to learn music but may not have the opportunity to receive a comprehensive music education in a conservatory are daunted by music, making classical music really become, as the old saying goes, "high-quality and low-key".

Reference materials: Baidu Encyclopedia - Royal Conservatory of Music Joint Committee Examination

Baidu Encyclopedia - National Music Grade Examination